Golden Gate Fields to close down December 2023.

[Le Beau Bai]

In a major move that will change California horse racing, The Stronach Group is slated to announce Monday that it will cease racing at Golden Gate Fields in the Bay Area at the end of its meeting on Dec. 18.

The move is being made to help prop up racing at Santa Anita by increasing field sizes and the possibility of adding a fourth day of racing back to the Arcadia track.

It’s unclear what will happen to the land that straddles Albany and Berkeley, but one possibility is that it could become either a state park or an open green space. Other possibilities have not been ruled out.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2 ... nd-of-year

On a personal note, I’m disappointed as it’s a track I wanted to visit if I ever make it over to the US!

[Justahorse]

How long has it been since a track was closed? Arlington was the last right?

[Flanders]

In a major move that will change California horse racing, The Stronach Group is slated to announce Monday that it will cease racing at Golden Gate Fields in the Bay Area at the end of its meeting on Dec. 18.

The move is being made to help prop up racing at Santa Anita by increasing field sizes and the possibility of adding a fourth day of racing back to the Arcadia track.

It’s unclear what will happen to the land that straddles Albany and Berkeley, but one possibility is that it could become either a state park or an open green space. Other possibilities have not been ruled out.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2 ... nd-of-year

On a personal note, I’m disappointed as it’s a track I wanted to visit if I ever make it over to the US!

As its just very briefly mentioned at the end of the article, but didn't really go into it. Berkley was trying to force, through new proposed ordinances, the closer of the track. So they'll get what they want.

The proposed ordinance makes it illegal to keep a horse stabled for more than 10 hours a day and requires that every horse has access to a minimum of one-half acre pasture turnout.

While reaffirming state and federal laws surrounding animal abuse and cruelty, the proposed ordinance also makes it a crime to conduct training and racing under a “reasonable expectation” that it could substantially injure or harm the animal.

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/p ... te-fields/

[BaroqueAgain1]

So, we have finally reached the point where the PETA-type zealots have gotten a city to essentially outlaw horse racing. Frack.

[WaquoitNBroadBrush]

How long has it been since a track was closed? Arlington was the last right?

Believe so. Arlington shut down in 2021, Calder last ran in late 2020, Suffolk in summer of 2019. I'd expect the next announcement to be the end of racing at the Northern California fairs. I don't know how much longer FanDuel intends to keep the former Fairmount Park going as a live racing venue, and every year that Fort Erie opens for racing surprises me.

[Justahorse]

How long has it been since a track was closed? Arlington was the last right?

Believe so. Arlington shut down in 2021, Calder last ran in late 2020, Suffolk in summer of 2019. I'd expect the next announcement to be the end of racing at the Northern California fairs. I don't know how much longer FanDuel intends to keep the former Fairmount Park going as a live racing venue, and every year that Fort Erie opens for racing surprises me.

How long till Delmar or Santa Anita is shut down

[TapitsGal]

This is going to backfire on them. Horses who run at golden gate fields because they aren't competitive enough to run at Santa Anita won't suddenly ship to Santa Anita and start running there...they'll go out of state and run at those tracks. And trainers who can't compete with guys like Baffert will also go out of state or get out of the business...there's a lot of things stronarch group could do to help increase field sizes at Santa Anita...closing golden gate fields isnt one of them...closing another track won't fix the issues Santa Anita or California racing have

[Northport]

In a major move that will change California horse racing, The Stronach Group is slated to announce Monday that it will cease racing at Golden Gate Fields in the Bay Area at the end of its meeting on Dec. 18.

The move is being made to help prop up racing at Santa Anita by increasing field sizes and the possibility of adding a fourth day of racing back to the Arcadia track.

It’s unclear what will happen to the land that straddles Albany and Berkeley, but one possibility is that it could become either a state park or an open green space. Other possibilities have not been ruled out.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2 ... nd-of-year

On a personal note, I’m disappointed as it’s a track I wanted to visit if I ever make it over to the US!

As its just very briefly mentioned at the end of the article, but didn't really go into it. Berkley was trying to force, through new proposed ordinances, the closer of the track. So they'll get what they want.

The proposed ordinance makes it illegal to keep a horse stabled for more than 10 hours a day and requires that every horse has access to a minimum of one-half acre pasture turnout.

While reaffirming state and federal laws surrounding animal abuse and cruelty, the proposed ordinance also makes it a crime to conduct training and racing under a “reasonable expectation” that it could substantially injure or harm the animal.

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/p ... te-fields/

It's insane that someone who has never had to care for horses can make this kind of legislature. But I guess that's politics. So if a horse is injured and on stall rest, you're liable to get fined in someone rats you out? Or the fact that land in California is such a commodity that a large piece of land with adequate pasture is almost impossible to find. I guess the real goal is to push the industry out, which it has succeeded in doing.

Like. Stabled for more than 10 hours a day?! Do they know a thing called "night" exists. As in, that time between 4pm and 6am the next day where the horses are tucked into their stalls for the night and the staff goes home? (Obviously someone is coming at 9-10pm to do nightcheck and throw hay and check waters but should that person also be responsible for turning the horses out to avoid incarceration?! )

[WarBiscuit]

How long has it been since a track was closed? Arlington was the last right?

Believe so. Arlington shut down in 2021, Calder last ran in late 2020, Suffolk in summer of 2019. I'd expect the next announcement to be the end of racing at the Northern California fairs. I don't know how much longer FanDuel intends to keep the former Fairmount Park going as a live racing venue, and every year that Fort Erie opens for racing surprises me.

Last several years have seen a number of closures, for sure. In addition to Arlington, Calder and Suffolk, we've lost Portland Meadows, Hazel Park, Atlantic City, Les Bois Park, Hollywood Park, Atokad Downs, Bay Meadows, Rockingham, Great Lakes Downs, Pinnacle, Beulah Park and a ton of harness tracks. Hard to believe, but in a decade it could be completely gone. Don't laugh too hard...

WarBiscuit

[Justahorse]

Seems like the fair circuit will be helping with the horses

[BaroqueAgain1]

An ordinance that makes stalling a horse for more than 10 hours illegal, and that requires a half acre for turn out, won't just impact racehorses. What about police horses? Show horses? Ordinary riding horses and ponies?
Berkeley...or any city, for that matter...is going to be short on half acre pastures within its boundaries.
If that ordinance is enacted, it basically outlaws horse ownership within the city limits.

[WaquoitNBroadBrush]

How long has it been since a track was closed? Arlington was the last right?

Believe so. Arlington shut down in 2021, Calder last ran in late 2020, Suffolk in summer of 2019. I'd expect the next announcement to be the end of racing at the Northern California fairs. I don't know how much longer FanDuel intends to keep the former Fairmount Park going as a live racing venue, and every year that Fort Erie opens for racing surprises me.

Last several years have seen a number of closures, for sure. In addition to Arlington, Calder and Suffolk, we've lost Portland Meadows, Hazel Park, Atlantic City, Les Bois Park, Hollywood Park, Atokad Downs, Bay Meadows, Rockingham, Great Lakes Downs, Pinnacle, Beulah Park and a ton of harness tracks. Hard to believe, but in a decade it could be completely gone. Don't laugh too hard...

WarBiscuit

Atokad runs a few races every year. They're all run at one furlong because the turns and backstretch aren't usable for racing. I think running these minimal races clears Atokad as a simulcast location under state rules, kind of like the joke "races" that Hialeah runs (using elderly quarter horses, for the most part).

[Squeaky]

Just heard on TVG that GG will now keep racing through June 2024 before closing. Their announcer leaving after today. It is a shame such a safe Tapeta track. Can they repurpose the track by digging it up?

[Northport]

They’ll probably resell it to local stables and farms. A farm I used to ride at had former Woodbine Tapeta in its indoor arena.

[stark]

A good alternative.....Pleasanton!
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... racing_123

[Curtis]

A good alternative.....Pleasanton!
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... racing_123

Wouldn’t Santa Rosa make more sense since it has a turf course?

[stark]

A good alternative.....Pleasanton!
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... racing_123

Wouldn’t Santa Rosa make more sense since it has a turf course?

Probably, but I'm not fussy, just don't shut down NoCal racing.

[Curtis]

A good alternative.....Pleasanton!
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... racing_123

Wouldn’t Santa Rosa make more sense since it has a turf course?

Probably, but I'm not fussy, just don't shut down NoCal racing.

So is it safe to say you’re not using the screen name Homie the Clown over at HRN?

[Cigarillo]

Didn't know where to post this but seemed like this thread was close enough.

Not looking good for California racing.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/20 ... sell-close

[stark]

Golden Gate will reduce their schedule to just two days per week, Saturday and Sunday.


The end is near.